Category Archives: REACH CDC

Last December the Portland Housing Bureau delivered its second annual State of Housing Report to the City Council. The report noted the many challenges facing Portland, including that in 2016 “data indicates that housing affordability in Portland in the last year has gotten worse, an issue that is disproportionately impacting low-income residents, Communities of Color, seniors, and individuals with disabilities”. Nonetheless, the report also looked at what the Bureau is doing to address these issues, including: gaining voter-approval of a $258 million Affordable Housing Bond; passage of an Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance; increasing urban renewal funding dedicated to affordable rental housing; and dedicating short-term rental revenue tax to affordable rental housing.

The report listed nearly 1,900 affordable housing units in the production pipeline, split between 33 developments. Next Portland is re-publishing the entire list, along with images and information about the architect / developer where we have it.

Some buildings on the list are exclusively reserved for lower income people, while others include a mix of market rate units and subsidized affordable units. Figures for levels of affordability, expressed as number of units reserved for individuals or families at a percentage of Area Median Income (AMI), are taken from the Housing Bureau Report. Buildings that include market units are only receiving city funding towards the affordable units. Note that this list does not contain any buildings which will be required to provide affordable housing as part of the newly passed Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance (which came into effect this month); any future projects funded through the voter approved affordable housing bond; any developments that are funded without the help of the Portland Housing Bureau; or any developments that have been allocated funding since the publication of the report late last year.

The Block 45 development at 1010 NE Grand Ave will include 127 affordable units and 77 market rate units

The Portland Housing Bureau has revealed the projects selected as part of the $47 million Super NOFA (Notice of Funding Availability). The award is the largest in the agency’s history, and will help build six new developments with 585 new units of affordable housing, as well as preserve another 255 units through renovation. Included in this will be 120 units reserved for the lowest-income households, earning up to 30% of the Median Family Income ($15,400 a year for an individual and $24,300 for a family of four).

Read on below for information about the six new build projects selected.

Portland Architecturebroke the news of a proposed hotel by William Kaven Architecture on Old Town Chinatown Block 33. At up to 150′ tall, the project will need to wait until zoning changes approved in principle as part of the West Quadrant Plan come into effect.

The Oregonian published details of the proposals received by the PDC for Riverplace Lot 3. One proposal from Gerding Edlen and REACH CDC would include a 30,000 sq ft grocery store, 200 units of low income housing in one building, and 100 units of workforce housing in another building. Another proposal by Williams & Dame and BRIDGE Housing also includes a grocery store, as well as 162 units of market-rate housing and 203 units of affordable housing. The proposal by Capstone Partners, working with Home Forward and Innovative Housing includes 110 market-rate units and 215 units of affordable housing, as well as a grocery store by Fred Meyer.

The Portland Chroniclewrote about the proposed apartments planned for 5134 SE Division St. As noted in the article, a protest was held nearby by the Facebook group Stop Demolishing Portland, with an estimated 40 people in attendance.

The City Council held its first hearing on the SE Quadrant Plan. The Oregonian listed 5 things to know about the plan, which guide development in the Central Eastside for the next 20 years. Although no vote was held, Mayor Hales seemed to indicate that he was still weighing how much protection should be given to industrial users.

Changes might be coming to how density bonuses are achieved in the Central City. The City Council unanimously voted to direct the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability to bring forward proposals that scrap a number of the existing bonuses. There are currently a diverse number of ways for developer to gain extra floor area or height, including by providing ecoroofs, bike lockers, theaters on Broadway or simply building residential units. Instead, the council wishes for these bonuses to be narrowed to focus on affordable housing.

Developer Urban Asset Advisors is planning a mixed use development at 7707 SW Capitol Highway, reports the Portland Chronicle. The building would include 71 residential units with 60 parking spaces, and two retail spaces.

Glisan Commons Phase II is under construction in the Gateway area of East Portland. The project, designed by Carleton Hart Architects for REACH Community Development, will provide 60 units of senior housing for those earning 30-60% of area median family income. The building is designed to allow residents to age in place, with features that include handrails in the hallways and fully accessible units.